Shrubs, with alternate stipulate coriaceous often evergreen leaves, and small white cymose or rarely solitary flowers. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary, the limb 5-lobed, persistent. Petals 5, scarcely clawed. Stamens numerous; filaments mostly subulate. Ovary 2-5-celled or of 2-5 carpels, separate at the summit; styles 2-5; ovules 2 in each cavity or carpel, alike, erect. Pome ovoid, globose or top-shaped, the carpels bony when mature. [Name neo-Latin, Quince-star or Star-quince.]

About 20 species, natives of the Old World. Type species: Mespilus Cotoneaster L.

2r

1. Cotoneaster Pyracántha (L.) Spach. Evergreen Or Fire Thorn. Pyracanth

Fig. 2408

Mespilus Pyracanlha L. Sp. Pl. 478. 1753. Crataegus Pyracantha Medic. Gesch. 84. 1798. Cotoneaster Pyracantha Spach, Hist. Veg. 2: 73. 1834.

A shrub, 3°-8° high. Spines slender, 1/2'-1' long; leaves evergreen, glabrous on both sides, oval or slightly oblanceolate, crenulate, obtuse at the apex, usually narrowed at the base, somewhat shining above, 1'-2' long, short-petioled; cymes terminal, compound, many-flowered; pedicels and calyx pubescent; calyx-lobes ovate; flowers about 3" broad; styles 5; fruit scarlet, depressed-globose, about 2" high, bitter.

In thickets, escaped from cultivation about Philadelphia and Washington. Native of southern Europe and western Asia. Christ's- or Egyptian-thorn. May.